Grace Health is proud to announce it has been awarded $600,000 as part of Kentucky’s Behavioral Health Expansion (BHE) initiative. Grace Health is one of eight health centers in the state to receive this grant, which will support the expansion of critical behavioral health services in both school-based health settings and clinics. This award is part of a broader national investment by the Biden-Harris administration to integrate mental health and substance use disorder treatment into primary care services.
In September, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), announced $240 million in nationwide awards to community health centers. The awards are intended to launch and expand mental health and substance use disorder services in more than 400 centers, which provide care for over 10 million people. Grace Health’s $600,000 grant is part of this significant national effort.
“Access to behavioral health care is critical for communities of color and underserved groups,” said HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra. “HRSA-funded health centers have a proven record of success in reaching underserved communities. This funding expands their access to essential behavioral health services that will benefit entire communities.”
The BHE grant, a two-year award from September 1, 2024, to August 31, 2026, will allow Grace Health to strengthen its capacity by adding 12 full-time equivalent (FTE) staff members. This includes mental health providers in schools and clinics, substance use disorder treatment support staff, and community health workers. These positions will play a vital role in addressing the increasing demand for mental health and substance use disorder services in our community.
“We are honored to be among the recipients of this significant grant, which will greatly enhance our ability to serve the mental health needs of our patients,” said Michael Stanley, CEO of Grace Health. “With this investment, we can expand access to mental health services in schools and clinics, ensuring that the people most need these services have access to them.”
The total funding awarded under the Behavioral Health Expansion initiative is $4.7 million, with opportunities for additional funding based on the success of each project in increasing the number of mental health providers and patients served.
Grace Health is committed to improving access to quality care and mental health services for patients of all ages. Through this grant, the organization will continue serving as a trusted behavioral health provider, particularly in underserved areas.
About Grace Health
Grace Health is a leading healthcare provider dedicated to delivering compassionate and comprehensive services to communities in need. With a focus on innovation and community engagement, Grace Health strives to address the evolving healthcare needs of individuals and families.
Grace Health was established in 2008 in Knox County, Kentucky, as a primary healthcare provider and recognized as a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), proudly serving Bell, Clay, Knox, Laurel, Leslie, and Whitley counties. For more information, visit gracehealthky.org.